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It is a practice banned in schools for more than 20 years.

But children’s behaviour in the classroom has apparently become so disruptive, one in five teachers say they would like to see caning brought back.

A survey of more than 6,000 teachers found that many were in favour of the return of corporal punishment.

According to research for The Times Educational Supplement, secondary school educators support the idea more widely than those who work in primary schools.

• What do you think? Vote in our poll below and send us your views via the 'Comments' button at the end of the article. KentOnline's Rhona Pinkerton went out and about to see what people on the street think about the issue - watch the video above.

The cane was abolished in state schools in 1987 and 1998 in private education.

Some believe reintroducing caning in schools would be effective simply as a deterrent - but some schools associations and the Department for Children, Schools and Families are strongly opposed to the idea.

The Association of School and College Leader branded it as "barbaric punishment", and a spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "Violence against children is clearly unacceptable and illegal."